My Faith in Humanity...Restored

Sometimes life is tenuous, isn't it?

One moment, you're soaring along effortlessly at 25 miles an hour on your bike, breathing in the fragrant eucalyptus and picturing the faces of the people you will help by doing Ironman in two weeks.

The next, you are flying over your bike, with your handlebars sheared clean off -- effectively erasing your ability to steer. After a few seconds airborne, you slam down on the pavement so hard that your breath doesn't come back to you for half a minute.

That is what happened to me today. Worse yet, as I crashed, I heard car brakes squealing behind me. The first thought that bolted into my mind was: "Please, no. Don't let this car hit me. I am a dad. I can't get hit."

In moments when we face our own mortality, I think our most precious priorities reveal themselves. Clearly, my 5-year-old daughter -- along with my wife -- are positively everything to me. My love for them flows through every vein in my body. I live for these beautiful ladies. And, I couldn't get hit, because I need to take care of them.

I immediately popped up and checked head-to-toe. Some gruesome road rash, with gravel embedded in the wounds. But nothing structural. Remarkable. I should have shattered my collarbone with an impact like that, but I was ok.

After two minutes of recovering, I looked up -- and there sits this red pickup, stopped sideways in my lane with its hazards on. I found that curious. The driver knew I was ok -- and most people would have just continued on.

But, this car sat there. Waiting. I hobbled up and inside was this striking Jamaican man. He said: "My God, bruddah, are you ok, mon? You were doin' so well, and then all of a sudden, you were flying through space!"

It felt like a dream. The adrenalin coursing through my brain made me foggy. I honestly could not discern if this was reality.

His name was Trevor. He offered to help me. I put my bike in his truck and off we went. It was surreal. It was 7am. No drivers are ever on this road at 7am -- and there was Trevor.

I am not a particularly spiritual person. But this felt like much, much more than coincidence. It felt fated. He arrived just as it happened. He was the right person to help. He even had the perfect car to take my bike: a pickup with an interior so worn that he didn't care about the blood that got on his seats. All he cared about was if I was ok.

He was on the way to his son's soccer game; and, he was late. He said: "Where are you going?" I said: "It's too far out of your way." He insisted: "I am taking you all the way home, mon."

I was floored.

In life, I never ask for anyone's help. I feel like I've been given a blessed life -- and it is incumbent on me to help others. Here I was, in an exceedingly rare position: helpless. 30 miles from home, in the middle of nowhere with a bike that couldn't go a foot.

I made it home. My wife patched me up. I got a new bike. And, I finished the 6-hour ride.

We make important choices each day at proverbial forks in the road. And, they largely determine our destiny. Here, I could have packed it in, but one thing keeps me going through all of the backbreaking training and the Ironman races...

...no amount of pain can match what a hungry child, or an abused, marginalized woman, feels. I owe it to them not to back down from this CARE/Ironman quest. I owe them my best. My very best.

Thank you, Trevor. You helped me when I needed it most. I will pay it forward to three people -- who will never meet you, but your kindness and generosity will change their lives.

Sometimes, life is beautiful, isn't it?

Inspired in Africa: Making a difference in lives of women by empowering them

LET'S FACE it. Sometimes life can feel fairly mundane. As we move from one moment to the next, much of our focus is on dealing with the seemingly insignificant minutiae. Then, we get a wake-up call of sorts. Something happens that forces an epiphany: Those few, precious moments in life when we gain a genuine insight into the reality or essential meaning of something important. It requires us to take stock of what's truly important and, really, what we're doing here in the first place.

These moments of clarity might be precipitated by an acute event like the birth of a child or the death of a friend. For me, it all began with a few simple but poignant moments on a recent trip to Africa.

I spent seven days in Mozambique with CARE, a leading global humanitarian organization. I was there to observe their work and to meet the people who benefit from it. Just when I thought I knew so much, I realized I know so little.

Mozambique is on the southeast corner of the continent. Like most African nations, it has a remarkable and painful history. In the 1990s after a 16-year civil war broke the back of the country and the hearts of the people, Mozambique became known as the poorest country in the world.

While the Mozambicans have made a heroic and breathtaking comeback, some wounds of the war remain. One in four children dies before his fifth birthday; 70 percent of women cannot read or write; and roughly six out of 10 people do not have access to clean water. Cogitate on those numbers for a moment.

In spite of all this, the Mozambicans have a radiant optimism and an indomitable spirit.

In Mozambique, CARE focuses on preventing poverty by addressing its root causes, not merely its consequences, just as it does in more than 60 countries. To do that, the poverty-fighting experts at CARE pursue a three-pronged strategy.

First, it embraces a rights-based approach. Take water, for example. CARE doesn't stop once the well is dug (the necessary front end); it advocates for the right of all people to have access to clean water (the necessary back end). Second, it forges partnerships with the local people, allowing them to participate in the decisions that affect their lives. And third, CARE strategically focuses on empowering women who, incidentally, suffer disproportionately from the ravages of poverty. And, rather than regard these women as victims desperate for help, CARE works to tap into women's innate power to help them change their own world. For good.

Two events led me to CARE in the first place. The first occurred in December 2003 during the 36 hours that my wife, Alexandra, gave birth to our daughter Vivienne. In the most splendid moment of my life, I couldn't help but think that millions of women have lost their lives simply trying to give it -- and more die every day.

The day I met my daughter was the day I committed to fight for women and girls in poverty worldwide.

Then, several months ago while in New York, I saw the CARE "I am Powerful" public service announcement. I was struck by the image: a strong, dignified, graceful woman and next to her the words: "She has the power to change her world. You have the power to help her do it." I connected with that uplifting message, and it moved me to think that I had the power to make a tangible difference in the lives of women and their families.

So, I called CARE, we forged an alliance, and within a couple of months, I was on my way to Mozambique. The beauty of serendipity.

On the first day there, I met one of the most powerful women in the world. To some, the word "powerful" might connote a wealthy or widely influential figure. This woman is neither. In fact, she is among the poorest of the world's poor in terms of money. But, she is among the richest of the rich in terms of authentic power.

Her name is Albertina Francisco - a stalwart, stunning 44-year-old woman who leads a community water project in Kongolote, which is on the outskirts of the capital city of Maputo. Albertina has taken on the critical job of ensuring that her community, composed of roughly 100 families, has regular access to clean water via nine "access points."

This is a woman with little money or education, living in a culture where most women are not permitted to hold positions of authority. But, she has risen up against all odds to perform a job that nobody else would do, a job that is saving lives.

As I strolled the dusty roads of Kongolote with Albertina, and observed how people reacted to her, I realized I was in the presence of true, authentic power. It was humbling.

That is the moment I gained an authentic insight into the essential meaning of the word "power." Albertina's power stood in stark contrast to the kind of power usually derived from money, influence - or sheer force. According to Sweden's Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, there are 15 active armed conflicts raging in the world now.

In contrast, Albertina's power has been bestowed on her as a result of worthy, courageously noble acts. It was not demanded, wrested or seized. It comes from what she does, not who she is. And, Albertina exercises her authentic power with humility, compassion, fierce dedication - and grace.

Albertina Francisco is empowered, and she is using that authentic power to change her world every day.

My time with Albertina gave rise to the first of many lessons while in Mozambique:

I learned that empowering women can break the complex, downward cycle of poverty and create an upward spiral of positive change that lights up entire communities. I learned that the empowerment of women and the well-being of children go hand in hand. When you nurture a mother, her children flourish.

And, I came to understand that, worldwide, women are the most untapped treasure-trove of power that history has ever seen - and that when women are supported with even the most basic tools and training, a fire of hope and optimism for a better life lights in their eyes. Then, that fire spreads as others join in strong solidarity to improve the health and well-being of their communities. Once this happens, there is no stopping it.

I saw all of this firsthand, and I can tell you that the progress these women are making in Mozambique, with the assistance of CARE, feels like the inexorable juggernaut of the civil rights movement. It can be resisted, but it cannot be stopped.

Further, I discovered that despite having so little, the people of Mozambique give so much. They are the most generous, gracious and dignified people I've ever met. They respond to the smallest acts of kindness with the biggest displays of gratitude. And finally, I realized that as an American, I have been granted the privilege and the capacity to bring about great, positive change - and it's incumbent upon me to do just that.

I believe it's important to empower people near and far. At home, we become empowered when we exercise and live healthier. Farther away, in a place like Mozambique - where a woman's life expectancy is a little over 40 years - we can help empower women to improve their health and well-being and that of their families. I also believe we need to be inspired by a greater purpose to confront life's hardest challenges head on.

That is why CARE and I have come together to launch the "I am Powerful Workout" campaign. I am training for the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon World Championships in October in order to raise money and awareness to fight global poverty through CARE. I've asked everyone I know - and some complete strangers! - to donate money on my behalf directly to CARE, and the response has been overwhelming.

Here's what I'm asking you to do: Challenge yourself and set an ambitious fitness goal - you know, the one that has been burning inside you.

Maybe you want to lose a few pounds, climb a mountain or train for your first marathon. Get inspired. Get moving. Get your friends and family behind you, and ask them to support you however they can. Maybe they'll give money. Maybe they'll give time. Maybe they'll join you! Then, channel all of your new energy to live your best life -- as you help others live theirs. You can set up your own free fundraising page, in minutes, at FirstGiving. The moment you commit to this, everything will shift in how you look, feel and live. Do it. You need the exercise...and the world needs you.

Join me on this mission-driven journey. Together we can motivate each other to achieve something truly meaningful -- and lasting. Every step you take toward a better life for yourself will be a step on behalf of marginalized women and girls worldwide.

Speaking of steps, I have a few thousand to log right now with a fire in my eyes -- and women like Albertina in my heart.

--

Here is more information about CARE and Eric's unprecedented quest, The Million Dollar Ironman in which he is striving to break the 9-hour barrier at the Hawaii Ironman World Championships in order to raise $1 million for CARE.

"Ironman 2.0": This is Your Ironman

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined." -- Henry David Thoreau

AS WE ALL KNOW, we are amidst the era of user-generated content. Web 2.0 allows previous spectators not merely to take part, but to be heard, and trusted, like never before.

The paradigm has shifted because user-generated content resonates with people; it is purely democratic. More people visit Wikipedia than Encyclopedia Britannica because they believe that the "collective wisdom" can outperform the "experts." If you have 40 million eyeballs on a piece of content, the end result may well be superior to that one or two or five myopic, single-minded "experts." The proof's in the pudding: according to Alexa.com, in researching "swine flu," more people visited Wikipedia than The Centers for Disease Control.

When Ashton Kutcher kicked media conglomerate CNN's hiney to a million party tweeple -- and subsequently hooked Ted Turner up with a deluge of Ding Dongs -- it was emblematic of the power of the people. (I can feel Chuck D. and Flavor Flav thumpin' that classic track right now!)

Throughout history, there has been no greater force than a group of determined, passionate people. As Margaret Mead said: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." That applies to every great event through human history: from eradicating sinister diseases to prevailing in world war to bringing civil rights to life.

As part of a new campaign "The Million Dollar Ironman," I am training to break the 9-hour barrier in the world's toughest one-day sporting test: The Hawaii Ironman World Championships. No easy feat. Last year, only 27 people in the world did it. And next year, I will be one of them.

The ultimate goal here is to raise $1 million for CARE, a leading global humanitarian organization, for which I proudly serve as an ambassador.

The original thought was to provide live video coverage on ustream.tv and immediate user-interaction via Twitter: People from around the world could gain unprecedented access to what it's like to break that 9-hour barrier at Ironman.

But, that's so "April, 2009." Been there, done that. It's just no longer compelling to watch an athlete do an event on behalf of charity.

But, what if you could play -- as you lounge with a cool, crispy Mojito?

What if we applied the concept of Web 2.0 and allowed users -- you -- to make "generate the content" and dictate the outcome of a world-class athlete, in real-time? Now, that would be something.

It has never been done before.

Until now.

I am going to compete in the 2010 Ironman World Championships -- and I'm going to let you call the shots. (Yes, you, Earl G. Huckabee from Upper Sandusky, Ohio!). We'll call it Ironman 2.0.

I am asking the greatest triathlete who ever lived, Dave Scott ("The Man"), to guide me through the day. I will be wired up to display all conceivable physiological feedback on a dashboard on the web: heart rate, distance, speed, wattage output, stress levels, etc. People from around the world will be able to feel the event like never before -- and view how I'm doing moment-to-moment on www.WhatShouldHeDoNext.com.

But, my real coach is...you: You will be able to give your opinions of what I should do next during the race. You will Twitter to the page (instead of "What are you doing?" a text box will read "What should he do next?") -- and my coach will distill down the best input and pass it on to me during the event. Click on the image to the right. This is merely our prototype, but it will give you a feel for how this will work. Pretty amazing stuff.

Now, I know what you're thinking: "There are some lunatics out there! You're going to let a bunch of armchair quarterbacks -- who have the exercise habits of cheese logs -- tell you what to do during one of the most important days of your life, with a million people watching and a million dollars on the line for charity?"

My response: "Absolutely. Never underestimate a cheese log."

First, I fundamentally believe that most people are good and noble and have rich experiences to share. And, if there's one thing I've learned: it's that often the best advice comes from the most unexpected places -- if you are open-hearted and open-minded enough to hear it. I have great faith in people ... in the "collective wisdom." (I was one of those who checked "swine flu symptoms" on Wikipedia.)

Now, we will certainly get terribly, hilariously bad advice -- and, frankly, that adds to the entertainment value. My coach might say: "Eric, this just in from Laclan who lives in Wagga Wagga, Australia. He said: "Crikey, he looks hot and stressed, mate! Have him pour a cold beer down his shorts!" (Actually, not terrible advice.)

I bet my coach will get some input on the day where he says: "Hey, that's a good idea!" There are thousands of experts out there -- from sports psychology to swimming to cycling to running to nutrition -- who have great things to say. Imagine some guy in Georgia, who is an expert on diaphragmatic breathing. He might notice that my heart rate is drifting skyward because I'm panting and engaging the "fight-or-flight" response. He might tell Dave to remind me to breathe into my belly, which improves oxygenation, engages the parasympathetic response and lowers heart rate. Or, it could be simple advice like: "Hey, he keeps looking back. Tell him to stop that and focus on what's ahead."

And frankly, since I am doing this to raise money for CARE, I think most people will give their best advice on the day.

The whole point here is to raise the million dollars for CARE and to do a social experiment that has never been done before.

I'm going for it. And, I will be counting on you all to get me across the line under nine hours in one piece.

I may be beer-soaked with rivulets of drool running down the corners of my mouth, but I will get to that hallowed finish line in under 9 hours. I will have you all to thank. And, I will have ensured, through the poverty-fighting heroics of CARE, that a few thousand people will lead better, more hope-filled lives.

Now, that is something worth fighting for.

Stay tuned @ www.whatshouldhedonext.com.